Beyond the Myth of Neutrality: Decolonizing Therapy for Justice, Reclamation, and Liberation

Introduction

“The therapist’s job is to create a space where the [client] can discover and express their true selves without fear” (Yalom, 1989, p. 5).

In a world where oppressive political climates are becoming increasingly pervasive, all therapists are being called to reimagine the role of the therapeutic space with urgency and compassion. Across the globe and within our own communities, Two Spirit, trans*, nonbinary, and queer individuals face daily threats to their safety, dignity, and well-being. These threats are fueled by rising tides of conservatism, systemic oppression, ableism, and the relentless policing of bodies and identities that do not conform to dominant norms. In such a landscape, it is no longer sufficient for therapy to be a space of supposed neutrality—a space that, in its silence, too often aligns with oppression rather than challenges it.

Neutrality in therapy is not a neutral act; it is a stance that can inadvertently uphold the very systems of power that marginalize and silence our most vulnerable. This blog post calls for a fundamental transformation in the practice of therapy—a shift from neutrality to an intentional and refreshingly honest engagement with the socio-political realities our clients face. It advocates for an anti-oppressive, decolonized, and trauma-informed approach that not only recognizes but actively resists the forces of oppression. By rejecting conventional frameworks that often perpetuate harm, therapists have the opportunity to create spaces where systemic injustices are dismantled, where marginalized voices are amplified, and where true healing and empowerment can take root.

Therapy must become a space of resistance, restoration, and liberation—a place where clients are supported in reclaiming their narratives, restoring their connection to self and community, and imagining new futures unbounded by oppressive systems. By embracing a politicized, relationally deep, and justice-centred approach, we can move beyond simply alleviating pain to fostering profound transformation and collective healing.

The following sections explore how moving beyond neutrality in therapy is not only necessary but also vital for cultivating therapeutic environments where healing, justice, and transformation are not just possibilities but imperatives. Together, we can create spaces that honour the full complexity of our clients’ lives and experiences, and in doing so, help to shape a more just and equitable world.

Therapy as a Political Act

“Decolonizing trauma work means rejecting the systems that have perpetuated harm and embracing ways that honor Indigenous ways of knowing and being” (Linklater, 2014, p. 12).

For too long, therapy has been framed as an apolitical endeavour—a space separated from the realities of social justice and political action. However, this neutrality can become a form of complicity in the systemic harms faced by marginalized communities. It often fails to account for the profound impact of social and political structures on mental health and well-being. As Decolonizing Therapy: Oppression and the Body discusses, models that prioritize neutrality risk perpetuating the very harms they seek to heal (Caldwell & Leighton, 2018). In response, there is a growing recognition that therapy must embrace political consciousness as critically central to the healing process.

Therapy is inherently political. The therapeutic space is shaped by societal norms, power dynamics, and histories of oppression. When therapists avoid these realities, they reinforce the status quo, leaving clients feeling unseen, unheard, and misunderstood. An anti-oppressive framework requires therapists to actively resist these dynamics by integrating social justice awareness into their practice. This involves understanding how heteronormativity, cisnormativity, and colonial legacies influence clients’ experiences and mental health.

As highlighted in The Global Fight Against LGBTQ+ Rights, conservative regimes often frame LGBTQ+ rights as foreign impositions, revealing the deep entanglement of politics and identity (Cooper-Cunningham, 2021). These narratives impact the mental health of LGBTQ+ individuals, who may internalize damaging messages of “decadence” and “moral decay.” Therapists are called to recognize these political undercurrents and respond with empathy and a commitment to social justice. This is not about partisanship or which party you’re going to vote for in an upcoming election; it is about choosing to make the therapeutic space a site of liberation rather than one of harm.

Therapists must engage with the socio-political realities of their clients. For Two Spirit, trans, nonbinary, and queer clients, this may mean understanding how pervasive fears and societal resistance impact their mental health. It also involves acknowledging the resilience and resistance these communities have shown in the face of oppression. By adopting an anti-oppressive framework, therapists help clients not only process their trauma but also find strength in their resistance. This approach requires therapists to lean into their own discomfort and challenge the state-sanctioned norms that have long defined the therapeutic relationship (Caldwell & Leighton, 2018).

Building an Anti-Oppressive and Decolonized Framework

“Good therapy helps people not only find meaning in their lives but also find their place in the world” (Pipher, 2003, p. 23).

To build an anti-oppressive framework in therapy, it is essential to decolonize our approaches. Traditional therapeutic models often reflect Eurocentric values that prioritize individualism, pathologize non-normative identities, and fail to account for the collective and community-based healing practices rooted in many Indigenous and non-Western cultures (Caldwell & Leighton, 2018). Decolonizing therapy means challenging these paradigms and integrating more inclusive, culturally humble, and contextually grounded practices.

An anti-oppressive framework in therapy begins with recognizing the impact of intersecting identities—race, gender, class, ability—on clients’ experiences of oppression. Anti-Oppressive Social Work offers vital insights into how intersectionality can inform therapeutic practice by acknowledging the multiple layers of marginalization that clients may face (Dominelli, 2002). This framework requires therapists to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach and instead employ strategies that center clients’ unique lived experiences. This might involve challenging the internalized narratives of inferiority that clients have developed in response to systemic discrimination, as well as validating their experiences of resistance and resilience.

Furthermore, it is critical to shift the focus from “overcoming” adversity to “reclaiming” and “restoring” one’s sense of self and community. The language of “overcoming” often implies that the problem lies within the individual, rather than in the oppressive systems that constrain them. Instead, an anti-oppressive framework emphasizes collective healing, community care, and the reclamation of narratives and spaces that have been historically denied to marginalized communities (Caldwell & Leighton, 2018). This involves creating therapeutic spaces where clients can reclaim their agency and sense of belonging, free from judgment or pathologization.

“Healing must be rooted in the restoration of balance, connection, and relational accountability.” (Linklater, 2014, p. 14)

Incorporating decolonized practices means integrating knowledge systems that have been marginalized or dismissed by Western psychology. This could involve drawing on Indigenous healing practices, recognizing the spiritual dimensions of healing, and understanding the importance of communal support in therapeutic work. As highlighted in Decolonizing Therapy: Oppression and the Body, integrating these practices is not about appropriating cultural traditions but about creating an inclusive therapeutic environment that respects and honours diverse ways of knowing and being (Caldwell & Leighton, 2018).

By building an anti-oppressive and decolonized framework, therapists can foster a therapeutic environment where clients are not only seen and heard but are also empowered to resist and dismantle the structures that oppress them. This is a call for therapists to step beyond their comfort zones, engage in critical self-reflection, and commit to a practice that is genuinely transformative and liberatory.

Reimagining Therapeutic Goals and Practices

“Our stories of trauma are not only about what has happened to us, but also about the spirit of our survival” (Linklater, 2014, p. 16).

Shifting from “Overcoming” to “Reclaiming and Restoring”

Western- and Euro-centric frameworks often emphasize “overcoming” adversity, a perspective that can be both ableist and reductive. It implies that the problem resides within the individual rather than in the oppressive systems that shape their experiences. This framing places the burden of change on the client while neglecting the broader socio-political contexts of their struggles. Instead, a shift toward “reclaiming” and “restoring” is essential—focusing on reclaiming power, identity, and agency that oppressive systems have sought to diminish.

Letters to a Young Therapist reminds us that understanding clients requires situating their personal struggles within these larger socio-political contexts (Pipher, 2003, p. 37). Similarly, Love’s Executioner emphasizes that therapy involves engaging honestly with clients’ realities, addressing the systemic injustices and traumas they face (Yalom, 1989, p. 1). These texts challenge therapists to move away from a focus on “coping” or “overcoming” and instead guide clients toward reclaiming their narratives, communities, and sense of self.

Emphasizing Relational Depth and Mutuality in Therapy

Central to anti-oppressive practice is the cultivation of relational depth and mutuality in therapy. This involves recognizing the therapeutic relationship as a dynamic, co-created space where both therapist and client engage in mutual learning and growth. It challenges hierarchical models where the therapist is the “expert” and the client the “recipient” of wisdom. Instead, it promotes an egalitarian approach that values the lived experiences and insights of the client.

Decolonizing Therapy stresses the importance of breaking down these hierarchical relationships, suggesting that therapists act as co-participants in the therapeutic journey, honouring the client’s agency and autonomy (Caldwell & Leighton, 2018). This could mean creating space for clients to lead their healing processes, actively collaborating on goals, and validating their experiences without imposing outside narratives. By fostering relational depth and mutuality, therapists support clients in reclaiming their voices and narratives, contributing to a more liberatory therapeutic process.

Centring Client Agency and Collaborative Power Dynamics

“Empowerment is not about giving people power; it is about challenging the structures that take power away” (Dominelli, 2002, p. 50).

Redefining the Therapist-Client Relationship:

An anti-oppressive therapeutic framework requires us to rethink traditional power dynamics in therapy, where therapists are often viewed as the “experts” and clients as passive recipients of care. This traditional model can unintentionally replicate broader societal power imbalances, undermining the agency of those who come to therapy seeking support and healing. Instead, an anti-oppressive approach prioritizes a collaborative, co-created dynamic that centers the client’s voice and honors their lived experiences. This shift invites therapists to engage clients as equal partners in the therapeutic process, recognizing that clients bring invaluable knowledge about their own lives and cultures.

Decolonizing Therapy emphasizes that dismantling hierarchical relationships in therapy is crucial for creating a space where clients feel empowered to shape their healing journey (Caldwell & Leighton, 2018). Therapists must approach each session with humility, openness, and a commitment to listening deeply. When clients are treated as collaborators rather than subordinates, the therapy space becomes one of shared growth and mutual respect.

Practicing Transparency and Informed Consent:

Transparency and informed consent are foundational to fostering collaborative power dynamics in therapy. This involves making therapeutic goals, processes, and potential interventions clear from the outset and ensuring that clients have an active role in decision-making. By doing so, therapists validate the client’s right to understand and direct their own therapeutic journey, moving away from paternalistic models of care.

Anti-Oppressive Social Work highlights that informed consent is more than a one-time discussion; it is an ongoing process that involves checking in with clients about their comfort and engagement with therapeutic practices (Dominelli, 2002). When clients are genuinely informed and feel they have a choice in their care, they are more likely to feel respected and empowered. This approach fosters trust and deepens the therapeutic relationship, creating a space where clients can explore their experiences without fear of judgment or coercion.

Co-Creation of Therapeutic Goals and Interventions:

A collaborative therapeutic approach also involves the co-creation of goals and interventions that are meaningful and culturally relevant. Rather than imposing standardized treatment plans, therapists should work with clients to develop goals that reflect their unique identities, values, and desires for growth. This can include practices like collaborative goal-setting, narrative therapy, and strengths-based approaches that emphasize the client’s resources and resilience.

Collaborative goal-setting allows clients to articulate what matters most to them and ensures that therapy aligns with their personal and cultural contexts. When clients see themselves reflected in the goals and methods of their therapy, it enhances their engagement and investment in the process. As suggested in Decolonizing Therapy, such practices not only honour the client’s agency but also challenge the therapist to remain adaptable and responsive to the client’s evolving needs (Caldwell & Leighton, 2018).

By centring client agency and embracing collaborative power dynamics, therapists create a therapeutic environment where clients feel seen, heard, and valued. This approach transforms therapy from a space of passive receipt to one of active participation, fostering empowerment and liberation at every step.

Intersectional Accountability and Allyship (“Co-conspiratorship”) 

Understanding Intersectionality in Practice:

Intersectional accountability requires therapists to move beyond a single-axis analysis of identity (e.g., solely focusing on gender or race) and instead understand how multiple forms of identity intersect to create unique experiences of privilege and oppression. Kimberlé Crenshaw (1989) coined the term “intersectionality” to highlight how race, gender, and other social categories intersect to produce complex layers of discrimination and disadvantage. This framework is crucial in recognizing that the challenges faced by a Black trans woman, for example, are distinct from those faced by a white cisgender woman. Intersectionality requires therapists to consider these layers of identity and the complex ways they interact in their clients’ lives.

Therapists can practice intersectional accountability by actively seeking to understand the various dimensions of their clients’ identities and how these intersect with systemic power structures. This means continually educating themselves on issues of race, gender, sexuality, class, ability, and more, to ensure they are providing affirming, responsive, and culturally competent care. As Anti-Oppressive Social Work suggests, an intersectional approach challenges therapists to confront their own biases and understand how they might inadvertently perpetuate oppression within the therapeutic space (Dominelli, 2002).

Showing Up as Allies in and Beyond Therapy:

Being an ally is not just a label but an ongoing practice of listening, learning, and taking action in solidarity with marginalized communities. In therapy, this means creating a safe and supportive environment where clients feel empowered to bring all parts of themselves into the room. It involves recognizing the therapist’s position of power and using that power to amplify the voices of clients who are most marginalized.

However, co-conspiratorship does not end in the therapy room. Therapists must also show up as allies in broader community contexts by advocating for systemic changes, supporting social justice movements, and using their voices to speak out against injustice. This could involve attending protests, signing petitions, or joining local advocacy groups to support the rights of marginalized communities. By showing up as allies both in and outside of therapy, therapists can build trust with their clients and contribute to a larger movement for justice and liberation.

Practicing Humility and Accountability:

Effective co-conspiratorship requires a commitment to humility and accountability. This involves recognizing that therapists, no matter how well-intentioned, will make mistakes and that being called out or in is a valuable part of the learning process. Therapists should cultivate a practice of self-reflection, remain open to feedback, and be willing to change when confronted with their own biases or missteps.

Accountability also means building relationships with communities rather than working in isolation. It involves listening to and following the leadership of those who are most impacted by systemic oppression. As Decolonizing Therapy emphasizes, this approach not only strengthens co-conspiratorship but also ensures that the work of therapy is genuinely inclusive and transformative (Caldwell & Leighton, 2018). By being accountable to the communities they serve, therapists can ensure their practices are grounded in the values of justice, equity, and mutual respect.

Trauma-Informed Approaches within Anti-Oppressive Frameworks

Recognizing Trauma from Systemic Oppression:

Trauma-informed approaches within anti-oppressive frameworks emphasize the importance of understanding trauma not just as an individual experience but as a collective and systemic phenomenon. For many marginalized groups, trauma is not isolated to singular events; it is a cumulative experience shaped by systemic oppression, colonization, and ongoing social injustices. In Decolonizing Trauma Work: Indigenous Stories and Strategies, Renee Linklater (2014) discusses how trauma among Indigenous peoples is a result of historical and contemporary colonial violence, such as forced displacement, cultural erasure, and systemic racism. These forms of trauma are often intergenerational, passed down through families and communities, and cannot be fully understood or addressed without considering these broader contexts.

To integrate trauma-informed care within anti-oppressive therapy, it is crucial to move beyond traditional Western models that often pathologize trauma responses and ignore the socio-political forces at play. Linklater (2014) argues for a shift toward decolonized trauma frameworks that validate Indigenous knowledge systems, honor spiritual and community-based healing practices, and recognize trauma as a reaction to profound systemic wounds rather than as an individual disorder. This approach calls for therapists to be aware of the ways in which colonial legacies continue to affect the mental health and well-being of Indigenous and other marginalized clients.

Sensitivity to the Trauma Experienced by Marginalized Groups:

Trauma-informed therapy within an anti-oppressive framework requires sensitivity to the unique traumas faced by marginalized groups, including Two Spirit, trans, nonbinary, queer, and BIPOC individuals. As Linklater (2014) highlights, healing practices that are rooted in Indigenous knowledge often focus on restoring balance and connection within the self, community, and environment. For example, Indigenous healing ceremonies, storytelling, and communal practices can be integrated into therapeutic settings to provide culturally relevant and spiritually grounded trauma care.

For therapists, adopting a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive approach means understanding that trauma can manifest differently across cultures and identities. This includes recognizing that standard clinical terminologies like “trauma” or “PTSD” may not fully capture the experiences of Indigenous clients or resonate with their cultural contexts (Linklater, 2014). Therefore, therapists should be flexible in their use of language and open to alternative ways of framing and discussing trauma that align with the client’s worldview and experiences.

Practices for Decolonizing Trauma Therapy:

Linklater (2014) emphasizes the need for practices that decolonize trauma therapy by integrating Indigenous ways of knowing and being. This includes using culturally specific healing modalities, such as the Medicine Wheel, which encompasses physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions of healing, and practices like sweat lodges, talking circles, and ceremonies that reconnect individuals to their communities and ancestral knowledge. Decolonizing trauma therapy also involves challenging the dominance of Western psychiatric models that often neglect the wholeness of Indigenous worldviews.

Therapists practicing trauma-informed care within an anti-oppressive framework must also engage in self-reflection and ongoing education to avoid perpetuating harm. This involves understanding their positionality and the power dynamics in therapeutic settings and being open to learning from the communities they serve. The goal is to create therapeutic spaces that are safe, validating, and empowering for clients, where trauma is not just managed but transformed into a source of resilience and strength.

Practical Strategies for Anti-Oppressive Therapy

“Our identities are not disorders to be cured but realities to be affirmed and respected” (Spade, 2020, p. 42).

Integrating Liberation Psychology and Community-Based Approaches

A key strategy for anti-oppressive therapy is integrating liberation psychology and community-based approaches. These models emphasize collective healing, community engagement, and participatory action as foundational components of therapeutic work. Anti-Oppressive Social Work outlines how these approaches prioritize community collaboration and grassroots movements to support healing in culturally relevant and socially transformative ways (Dominelli, 2002).

Therapists can adopt these strategies by involving communities in the therapeutic process, supporting community-led healing initiatives, and utilizing participatory action research to address the specific needs of marginalized groups. Liberation psychology reminds us that healing is not solely an individual endeavor but a collective one, deeply rooted in the social fabric of community and culture. This perspective challenges therapists to think beyond the individual and consider how collective practices empower clients and their communities.

Adopting a Trans-Affirmative and Anti-Ableist Lens

Creating a genuinely inclusive therapeutic environment requires therapists to adopt a trans-affirmative and anti-ableist lens. Sex Is as Sex Does underscores the importance of affirming and protecting nonbinary and trans clients, particularly when navigating systems that may not fully recognize or respect their identities (Spade, 2020). The text highlights the need for therapy to not only affirm trans identities but also advocate for systemic changes that support these clients.

Therapists must be knowledgeable about the legal and social challenges trans and nonbinary clients face and should work to create explicitly affirming spaces in both philosophy and practice. This involves understanding the complexities of gender identity and expression, using inclusive language, and challenging ableist assumptions that pathologize non-normative bodies and minds. By adopting a trans-affirmative and anti-ableist approach, therapists support clients in resisting societal pressures and reclaiming their authentic selves.

Promoting Healing Through Decolonized Practices

Decolonized healing practices offer a powerful alternative to Western-centric therapeutic models that may not resonate with all clients. Decolonizing Therapy advocates for integrating such practices into therapeutic work, suggesting that therapists consider Indigenous-led healing ceremonies, community-based rituals, and trauma-informed approaches that are contextually grounded in clients’ cultural realities (Caldwell & Leighton, 2018). These practices honor diverse ways of knowing and being, acknowledging that healing is not a one-size-fits-all process.

By incorporating decolonized practices, therapists can create more inclusive and culturally sensitive therapeutic spaces. This may involve collaborating with community healers, incorporating storytelling, rituals, or other culturally relevant practices into therapy, and recognizing the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit in the healing process. It is essential that therapists approach these practices with humility and a commitment to ethical engagement, ensuring that they are not appropriating but rather honoring the cultural traditions of the communities they serve.

Community Healing and Collective Empowerment

Therapy Beyond the Individual:

Traditional Western therapy often focuses on individual healing, encouraging clients to explore their personal histories, thoughts, and emotions. While individual-focused therapy can be valuable, it may overlook the vital role that community and collective experiences play in the healing process, especially for marginalized groups. For many Two Spirit, trans, nonbinary, and queer individuals, as well as BIPOC communities, healing is not just an individual endeavour—it is a collective one. The wounds inflicted by systemic oppression, colonization, and discrimination are not borne by one person alone; they are shared across communities.

Collective healing amplifies individual healing by fostering a sense of belonging and solidarity. It recognizes that personal struggles are deeply interconnected with social injustices and that individual well-being is often tied to the health and strength of the community. In this sense, therapy becomes not only about the individual’s journey but also about how they connect, contribute to, and draw strength from their communities. As Anti-Oppressive Social Work suggests, shifting toward community-centred approaches allows therapists to honour and uplift the interdependence that is often central to marginalized identities and cultures (Dominelli, 2002).

Engaging with Social Justice Movements:

Therapists practicing from an anti-oppressive framework are called to understand their work as inherently connected to broader social justice movements and community activism. This involves recognizing that the personal is political, and the issues brought into therapy rooms—such as racism, transphobia, ableism, and other forms of systemic violence—cannot be separated from the larger societal context. Therapists can support social justice movements by amplifying marginalized voices, advocating for policy changes that promote equity, and understanding that the fight for justice is part of the healing process.

Engaging with these movements means that therapists can help clients see their healing as a form of resistance and empowerment. It positions them not just as passive victims of their circumstances but as active agents who can contribute to the dismantling of oppressive systems. This could include encouraging clients to participate in activism that resonates with them, supporting community-led initiatives, or simply validating their anger and grief as legitimate responses to injustice. By aligning therapy with social justice, therapists can help bridge the gap between personal healing and collective liberation.

Creating Community-Centred Healing Spaces:

One of the practical ways to foster collective empowerment is by creating community-centered healing spaces. Group therapy, community workshops, peer support networks, and partnerships with grassroots organizations offer additional layers of support that extend beyond the therapy room. These spaces can provide shared experiences of healing where individuals come together, connect over common struggles, and co-create paths forward.

For instance, group therapy can provide a safe environment for people to share their stories, learn from each other, and realize that they are not alone in their struggles. Community workshops on topics like collective trauma, resilience, or navigating oppressive systems can empower participants by equipping them with knowledge and skills that resonate with their lived experiences. Collaborating with grassroots organizations can help therapists stay connected to the real, immediate needs of the communities they serve and avoid the pitfalls of becoming disconnected from the social realities their clients face.

By integrating community-centered approaches into their practice, therapists create more holistic and supportive environments that acknowledge the communal nature of healing. These practices foster a sense of solidarity, build community resilience, and challenge the isolation often reinforced by individual-focused therapeutic models.

The Therapist’s Role in Social Change and Advocacy

“To be effective, a therapist must be open to learning and relearning alongside their clients” (Pipher, 2003, p. 35).

Critical Reflexivity and Ongoing Education

Therapists have a crucial role in social change and advocacy, beginning with critical reflexivity and ongoing education. This involves constantly reflecting on one’s own privileges, biases, and positionalities and understanding how these affect both the therapeutic relationship and broader societal structures. By being aware of power dynamics within and beyond the therapy room, therapists can more effectively advocate for social justice.

Anti-Oppressive Social Work emphasizes that therapists must recognize their positions of power and the potential impact on their clients (Dominelli, 2002). To serve as effective social justice advocates, therapists must commit to ongoing education about systemic oppression, engage in anti-racist and anti-oppressive training, and cultivate an environment of accountability and openness to feedback. This commitment to continuous learning enables therapists to be more attuned to the needs and experiences of marginalized clients and to challenge oppressive practices within their professional and personal spheres.

Sustaining Activism and Combating Burnout

Engaging in anti-oppressive work often requires therapists to involve themselves in activism and advocacy, which can be emotionally demanding. It is crucial to address the risk of burnout and ensure that therapists remain resilient and supported. Letters to a Young Therapist discusses self-care strategies essential for sustaining activism in therapeutic practice, emphasizing the importance of community support and collective care among therapists (Pipher, 2003).

Therapists should cultivate spaces for peer support, reflection, and rejuvenation to maintain their well-being and effectiveness. Building networks with like-minded professionals, participating in supervision or consultation groups, and engaging in practices that nurture one’s own mental and emotional health are vital for sustaining long-term engagement in social justice work. Embracing collective care and solidarity among therapists helps maintain the resilience needed to continue advocating for systemic change and supporting clients in their journeys toward liberation. When therapists support one another, they reinforce the belief that this work is not done in isolation but is part of a larger collective movement toward justice.

Conclusion

The call to reclaim the therapy space as a site for resistance, restoration, and liberation is both urgent and necessary. In a world where marginalized communities—especially Two Spirit, trans, nonbinary, and queer individuals—are continuously targeted by oppressive systems, therapists must take an active role in challenging these dynamics. Therapy cannot remain a neutral space detached from the social and political realities that shape clients’ lives. Instead, it must be transformed into a space where power is reclaimed, voices are amplified, and collective healing is prioritized.

Adopting an anti-oppressive, decolonized, and trans-affirmative framework in therapy requires therapists to shift away from traditional, pathologizing models and toward approaches that center relational depth, mutuality, and community engagement. This is more than just supporting clients in their healing; it is joining them in their fight for justice and liberation. It is about leaning into discomfort, embracing critical self-reflection, and fostering practices that are transformative for both the therapist and the client.

As therapists, our role is not only to bear witness to the pain of oppression but to actively participate in dismantling it. By creating therapeutic spaces that honor diverse ways of knowing, integrate culturally grounded practices, and challenge oppressive narratives, we contribute to a broader movement for justice, equity, and liberation. This is an invitation to lean in, listen deeply, and engage fully in the work of transforming not just the therapeutic space but the world beyond it.

Let’s Collaborate

Working with Audrey Wolfe, RCC, and myself, Clayre Sessoms, RP, RCT, RCC, RCAT, CCC, ATR-BC, means engaging with trans and queer psychotherapists and art therapists who are deeply committed to creating spaces of safety, empowerment, and transformation. Our practice centres on an anti-oppressive, trauma-informed approach that recognizes the unique challenges faced by Two Spirit, trans, nonbinary, queer, and BIPOC individuals. We believe in therapy as a collaborative and liberatory process, where clients are seen, heard, and supported in reclaiming their narratives and power. Whether it’s through individual therapy, group sessions, or community workshops, we work together to cultivate healing that acknowledges and respects diverse experiences and ways of being.

We invite you to join us on this journey by exploring our blog, which is regularly updated with insights and resources on decolonizing therapy, anti-oppressive practices, and community-based healing. Bookmark our blog to stay connected and inspired as we continue to explore new ways of supporting healing, justice, and liberation in therapeutic spaces.

References

Caldwell, C., & Leighton, L. B. (Eds.). (2018). Oppression and the body: Roots, resistance, and resolutions. North Atlantic Books.

Cooper-Cunningham, D. (2021). Heteronormative internationalism and the framing of LGBTQ+ rights in global contexts. In The Global Fight Against LGBTQ+ Rights.

Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A Black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory, and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1989(1), 139-167.

Dominelli, L. (2002). Anti-oppressive social work: Theory and practice. Palgrave Macmillan.

Linklater, R. (2014). Decolonizing trauma work: Indigenous stories and strategies. Fernwood Publishing.

Pipher, M. (2003). Letters to a young therapist. Basic Books.

Spade, D. (2020). Sex is as sex does: Governing transgender identities. University of Minnesota Press.

Yalom, I. D. (1989). Love’s executioner and other tales of psychotherapy. Basic Books.